Articles Tagged with: hiking

Seniors Discover Monrovia

Monrovia is located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California with a population of around 36,000. Senior visitors enjoy Monrovia’s Old Town, the heart of the community.

Revitalized from the once dilapidated state it found itself in the 1970s, today it has become a regional attraction and local necessity for those who live, work and play in Monrovia.

Seniors, if you time your visit, every Friday night, from March to Christmas, thousands of residents and visitors alike mingle at the largest street fair of its kind in California, with craft and food booths, kiddie rides, a farmer’s market, live music and more.

Seniors Find A Beautiful, Historic City

In Monrovia senior visitors will experience all the warmth of Southern California and the advantages of a gorgeous natural environment, a city that is beautiful, historic, cultural, economically diverse and inviting.

Located 20 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Monrovia is only 8 miles east of Pasadena. Monrovia has an ethnically diverse population and its residents gain easy access to the Southern California Freeway system.

The East Huntington Drive technology corridor is one of Monrovia’s prominent high-tech, bio-tech and nanotech research and development centers. Sun Microsystems, Xerox Special Information Systems, Genzyme, Silverlake Research, ITT Deep Space Division, Aeronvironment and Dynametric are a few of the prominent companies located in Monrovia.

Seniors Enjoy Scenic San Gabriel Mountains

As is much of California, Monrovia is loaded with history. The Shoshonean Indians were the first inhabitants. In 1769 Don Gaspar Portola and his party were the first Europeans to arrive and Juan Crespi, a Franciscan Father, accompanied the expedition.

The region was filled with orange groves but over time became a residential community. The arrival of the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific railroad significantly increased the population and Monrovia was officially founded in 1887.

Monrovia’s Canyon Park includes a nature center and scenic hiking trails and is a popular location for outdoor enthusiasts. This video, Driving Around Monrovia, provides a nice overview of this exciting city. Monrovia lies in an awesome setting.

The well known Santa Anita Race Track, Disneyland and Irwindale Speedway are nearby. The Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden Arboretum Trail located in nearby Arcadia is a great place to visit for nature enthusiasts.

The scenic San Gabriel Mountains offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Cal Tech, Mt. Sierra College and the Claremont Colleges are nearby, providing educational opportunities for local students.

In 2008 Monrovia was a finalist for “Most Business Friendly City.” Seniors, set your GPS for the foothills of San Gabriel Mountains and enjoy Monrovia. -jeb

Seniors Discover Small Town Darrington

Darrington is a town in Snohomish County, Washington, with a population of 1,347 at the 2010 census. This senior picked up on Darrington as Darrington/Arlington, Washington Advances in $10 Million America’s Best Communities Competition.

Darrington/Arlington is one of just 15 community teams nationwide to make the competition’s semifinals, with an opportunity to win up to $3 million. The motto: “Discover Darrington. It will take a lifetime.” Wow, for a small community that says a lot.“ America’s Best Communities competition could not have appeared at a better time…” stated City of Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert.

The first to settle in the area were the people of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe. When gold was discovered in 1889 prospectors flooded into the Cascade mountains and the boom town of Darrington began. Later in 1901 when the first train reached Darrington logging and sawmills began operation.

Seniors Find Darrington In A Scenic Place

Nestled in the northern Cascades, Darrington is surrounded by beautiful mountains, rivers, and wilderness lands, a community that has strong ties to it’s mountainous surroundings. Nestled among the forested foothills and impressive peaks of the North Cascades, Darrington is a small town with picturesque views and world-class recreational opportunities for senior visitors to enjoy.

“Only 1.5 hours from Seattle, the town is the gateway to the outdoors, offering countless adventures along three wild and scenic rivers – the Stillaguamish, Sauk, and Suiattle – and the vast network of public lands, including three wilderness areas – Boulder River, Henry M. Jackson, and Glacier Peak – where some of the most spectacular views and experiences await. Hiking, camping, biking, climbing, fishing, horseback riding, guided rafting, and more – Darrington has it all!”

Gold, Waterfall And The Great Outdoors

Once called “The Portage”, the town was renamed Barrington in 1895 following a community meeting. The U.S. Postal Department mistakenly changed the first letter to a “D”, resulting in the current name. Gold was discovered at Monte Cristo in the summer of 1889 and prospectors began to flood into the Cascade Mountains.

A road was punched into Monte Cristo from Sauk City on the Skagit River. The location of where Darrington is now became a half-way point on the road, then a boomtown called “Starve Out”. Be sure to take in Boulder River Trail and view the largest waterfall near Darrington.

One claim to fame is Bob Barker, host of the The Price Is Right, was born in Darrington, Washington. In early 2014 a craft brewery “Whiskey Ridge Brewing Company” became the first craft brewery in Darrington. It was located in the historic Old City Town Hall building but moved to Arlington in 2015 and is located at 116 E 5th Street, Arlington.

I have discovered that Facebook has a lot to say about communities like Darrington. So set your GPS for Darrington, senior travelers and enjoy all that this small town has to offer. It’s on my travel bucket list. -jeb

Seniors Head West To Bozeman

Bozeman, the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, senior travelers learn, is in the southwestern part of the state. Bozeman is called “The Most Liveable Place.”

The city is named after John M. Bozeman who established the Bozeman Trail and was a key founder of the town in August 1864. Bozeman is a college town, home to Montana State University. The city is served by Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.

In 1863 John Bozeman, along with a partner named John Jacobs, opened the Bozeman Trail, a new northern trail off the Oregon Trail leading to the mining town of Virginia City through the Gallatin Valley and the future location of the city of Bozeman.

Seniors Admire Bozeman’s Location

One of MSU’s greatest assets is its location. Bozeman is known as one of the top towns for outdoor recreation and high quality of life in the country; just look at its top rankings in magazines like Outside, National Geographic Adventurer, Powder Magazine and Fly Rod.

Runner’s World magazine recently named Bozeman’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Run to the Pub the No. 2 “must-run” half marathon in the nation.

Seniors, Bozeman averages 300 days of sunshine and because of the dry climate, summers are pleasant with warm days and cool nights. Mild winter weather is not unusual, and more than a week of consistently frigid weather is infrequent.

Bozeman is small enough to have a personality and big enough to have all the amenities of a city. The area attracts artists, photographers, filmmakers, authors and entrepreneurs who want to work close to nature. Cultural offerings include a symphony orchestra, opera, theatre and ballet companies.

Seniors Discover A ‘Dream Town’

There’s a reason Bozeman (pop. 38,000) has been dubbed a “dream town” by Bizjournal.com and lauded for offering high quality of life by National Geographic Adventure. Add the cultural amenities of a local symphony and ballet, the vibrancy of a college community, and an energetic downtown-Bozeman is the complete package.

Senior travelers, when you fly in over the Bridger Range or drive into the valley and find yourself surrounded by mountains, it’s easy to understand why people want to live, work and play in this place.

Bozeman’s Main Street was named one of the “10 Great Streets for 2012″ by The American Planning Association and their program, Great Places in America. Enjoy world-renowned fly fishing, dramatic mountains for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, hunting, and backcountry exploring. Then there’s Yellowstone National Park, and all its impressive wildlife.

Me, I’d head for Downtown Bozeman and take a good stroll around and then I would head over to the Gallatin History Museum and discover all that has happened in this area. Seniors, enjoy all the amenities this great city has to offer. -jeb

Seniors Are Welcome In Philipsburg

Philipsburg, the county seat of Granite County, Montana, is small with a population of only 850, but a fun place to visit. Senior travelers will find that Philipsburg is located about 30 minutes off of I-90, southeast of Missoula or west of Butte, Montana.

Known as an 18th century mining town, the area is rich in history but offers much more than mining these days. Silver mining originally brought this town to life back in the late 1860s and sapphire mining remains the main attraction today. Senior visitors, you can mine your own valuable Montana sapphires while visiting Philipsburg.

The Philipsburg area is home to several ghost towns of former mining and timber towns, 24 to be precise. And National Historic Sites abound for senior history lovers.

Seniors Enjoy Mining Town

Philipsburg was named after the famous mining engineer Philip Deidesheimer, who designed and supervised the ore smelter around which the town originally formed. The surrounding hills still show the scars of mountains that have produced vast deposits of silver, manganese, sapphires, and to a lesser extent gold.

Granite, Tower, Rumsey, Black Pine and other local mines were considered home to thousands of hard working men in the late 19th and early 20th century glory days. Today, it’s hard to imagine the bustling activity that went on where now only broken down shacks and tailing piles remain.

Philipsburg is home to Granite Ghost town and other haunts you’ll not want to miss. Me, I’d want to take in the Granite County Museum and Cultural Center, housed in the former Courtney Hotel. And my wife would be sure to visit the famous Sweet palace Candy Store.

Seniors Enjoy Philipsburg’s Adventures

Adventures abound in Philipsburg, whether it’s mining for sapphires, hiking the Great Divide, or reserving a seat in Montana’s oldest Opera House. All year long the surrounding area is a haven for sports, recreation, and culture.

Come snowfall, the mountains become a winter wonderland of downhill skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding, just to name a few. Hike, bike, and backpack to your heart’s delight, or fish in some of the best trout streams Montana has to offer.

TripAdvisor has almost a dozen attractions that senior visitors will not want to miss, starting off with the Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine. Grab a bucket of sapphire gravel, belly up to the wash trough and find Montana Sapphires.

And where to stay? Take in the Ranch at Rock Creek—a luxury guest ranch that brings together wide open spaces and upscale amenities.

Seniors Enjoy Cayucos By The Sea

Not big, population around 2,600, however Cayucos By The Sea is a highly popular seaside resort area along the Pacific Coast Highway 1. Senior travelers will find this census-designated place in San Luis Obispo County, between Cambria to the north and Morro Bay to the south. Many call Cayucos The Last of California Beach Towns.

Cayucos is the hispanicization of a Chumash word for “kayak,” or “canoe,” used by the Chumash people to fish in the bay, particularly in the rich kelp beds just north of the current Cayucos pier. The town took its name from the old Rancho Moro y Cayucos, a Mexican land grant awarded in 1842 that includes the present area of the town.

Cayucos lies 30 minutes from Hearst Castle, is halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and about 3 hours driving time from the San Joaquin Valley. Because of the mild seasons, cool but sunny summers, and sunny, mild winters, Cayucos is an ideal resort for summer and winter vacations.

Seniors Find Quiet, Peaceful Destination

Cass’ Wharf, as it is called, is a “Free Public Fishing Pier” for rock fishing while surf fishing can be done in Estero Bay. The quiet waters make it a haven for skin diving, swimming, surfing and sea kayaking. Rockhounds and driftwood gatherers have miles of shoreline for collecting California souvenirs.

The local Chamber notes that “visitors can come to listen to the quiet and stillness that only a small town in an untouched countryside can provide. Cayucos is the perfect remedy for those who suffer from the ills and frustrations of life in the fast lane in crowded cities. Peaceful, underdeveloped ranch lands with cattle grazing on undulating, oak-crested hills provide a respite for the city weary, and vineyards are not far away for wine tasting tours. There is virtually no city noise, no traffic, no pollution and no crime in Cayucos.”

TripAdvisor suggests that you not miss a stroll down the famous Cayucos Pier. They also highlight the Old Cayucos Tavern & Card Room. Senior hikers, the Estero Bluffs State Park awaits your visit. The Cayucos State Beach and its historic buildings remains the highlight of the town.

Seniors Enjoy Old Cayucos Tavern

“Cayucos was born during the days of Spanish land grants, and grew up with sailing ships and steamers, rum runners and revenuers. Gamblers and seafarers met in the Old Cayucos Tavern, and adventurers and romantics of all kinds still rendezvous there today. Cayucos sits at the foot of the hills with its toes in the sand, and awaits you and your exploration.”

Writing daily travel blogs, I see hundreds of ‘official homepages’ and I really liked this one. It is different and loaded with helpful information for senior visitors. Senior travelers, make a stop at “A Town That Time Forgot” and “Where the old west meets the ocean” on busy Route 1. -jeb

Seniors Visit Perkasie

A local restaurant owner told me that she and her husband were from Perkasie, PA., so this senior just had to check out the borough and learn more about it. It proved to be a neat visit and I hope that you will enjoy your visit as well.

Perkasie is 35 miles north of Philadelphia midway between Philadelphia and Allentown. Establishments in the borough early in the twentieth century included silk mills, baseballs, brickyards, lumber mills, tile works, a stone crusher, and manufacturers of cigars, tags and labels, wire novelties, etc.

The population in 1900 was 1,803; in 1910, 2,779 people lived in Perkasie. The present population runs just over 8,500 residents. Both the town of Perkasie and Pocasie Creek come from the Lenape word Poekskossing [or Pokesing], meaning ‘where the hickory nuts were cracked.’ There was doubtless a village on the site of the present town before William Penn’s Perkasie Manor was settled.

Seniors Enjoy Perkasie’s Parks and Downtown Area

Senior visitors can enjoy the historic town of Perkasie, with its outstanding park system and revitalized downtown. Fun Fact – Perkasie was home to a major league baseball factory which produced millions of baseballs between 1920 and 1950. Perkasie’s events calendar is always buzzing with a plethora of events in and around Bucks County.

TripAdvisor has been there and provides senior visitors with an overview, places to stay and things to do in Perkasie. And get this, there are 84 parks and a dozen campgrounds within 15 miles of Perkasie, so bring along a picnic basket and your favorite blanket.

Perkasie Park is a private seasonal, historic facility that’s been in the Borough of Perkasie since the early 1880s and features 60 Victorian-era cottages, a historic outdoor auditorium, and other buildings located on 21 acres of open space within Perkasie Borough.

This summertime community has association members who travel from as near as South Perkasie and as far as Texas, Florida and Arizona to spend time at Perkasie Park. Hop in with me and enjoy a leisurely drive through snowy Perkasie. It is a great means to get a feel for this attractive borough.

Seniors Find Historic Covered Bridge and Carousel

Me, I’d want to be sure to visit the Perkasie Historical Society, founded in 1954, that strives to help preserve the history of Perkasie Borough. It cares for the four historic venues: the South Perkasie Covered Bridge, the Perkasie Carousel, Perkasie Museum and the Stout Family Cemetery.

The 1832 South Perkasie Covered Bridge is located in Lenape Park. While the bridge no longer spans the creek, seniors can enjoy it when visiting the park. The Olde Town Tavern on West Walnut Street seems to be a favorite place to dine and to enjoy the local flavor of the borough.

Seniors Stop In Manchester

No, not Manchester, England, but Manchester, Vermont. Senior visitors learn that Manchester is one of two shire towns (county seats) of, Bennington County, Vermont with a population of 4,500. As they say on their website, “There is always something happening in Manchester, Vermont.”

Manchester Village, an incorporated village, and Manchester Center are settlement centers within the town. Manchester Village offers a tranquil old-world atmosphere, and Manchester Center is a shopper’s paradise.

The town was one of several chartered in 1761 by Benning Wentworth, colonial governor of New Hampshire. It was his custom to name new towns after prominent English aristocrats of the day, hoping they might adopt a patronly interest in their namesakes.

Wentworth named Manchester for Robert Montagu, 3rd Duke of Manchester. First settled in 1764, the town was laid out in 1784.

Seniors Take In Vermont’s Fall Colors

This town in scenic Vermont is where senior visitors can experience All of Vermont. No matter what the season, Manchester and the surrounding communities have most everything you will want to see or do on a visit to the Green Mountain State.

The area offers beautiful Vermont fall foliage. In 2010, Yankee Magazine, listed several Vermont towns in their slideshow of “Top 25 Foliage Towns in New England,” including Manchester.

An article in the NY Times called “36 Hours in Manchester” noted that while the town may never be the ultimate Ski Town, U.S.A., its gilded mansions and upscale factory outlets continue to draw more shoppers than ski bums. But this bucolic town in southern Vermont is blessed with two nearby ski resorts and backcountry trails that meander through the picturesque Battenkill Valley.

Manchester is emerging as a popular winter getaway among Bostonians, New Yorkers and even Europeans looking to get acquainted with Vermont’s unspoiled Green Mountains. Its most recognizable property, the stately Equinox Hotel, underwent a major overhaul a few years back.

Seniors, should you choose to stay at the Equinox, you will find exciting diversions to suit every taste.

Seniors Discover The Picturesque Battenkill River Valley

Manchester, the quintessential New England community, is tucked into the Green Mountains in the picturesque Battenkill River Valley. Senior travelers can visit Hildene, the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln and his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln. Then check out the Equinox Preservation Trust Preserve that consists of over 914 acres on the slopes of Mt Equinox.

I would make it a priority to see Lye Brook Falls, a great waterfall, easily said to be one of Vermont’s finest. The hiking trail is 4.3 miles to the falls, so bring along your hiking shoes and enjoy the trail.

In Manchester’s historic walking village, you will find “One of the Top Shopping Getaways in New England” as selected by Yankee Magazine’s Reader’s Choice and Editor’s Choice.

Seniors Enjoy Kelseyville

Kelseyville is a census-designated town in Lake County, California. Senior travelers will find Kelseyville 6 miles southeast of Lakeport, at an elevation of 1,384 feet and the population runs about 3,500.

Why write a blog on this small town? Well, it is famed for its wine. We oenophiles read the labels on wine bottles and I recently saw Kelseyville with a wine called Chacewater. The winery and olive mill is located on Gaddy Lane and they invite senior travelers to come and savor their fine wines.

The bottle I opened was a white wine that both my daughter and sister-in-law favor. They said it was “extra,” meaning really good, in French. It was called Lake County and carried a 2013 vintage.

The wine makers take great pride in producing fine wines, Extra Virgin Olive Oils and soaps of the highest quality, sourced from select vineyards and estate-grown olive trees. By producing only small lots and using only the finest natural ingredients they are able to produce artisanal products of distinction. TripAdvisor has paid a visit to Kelseyville and gave a high rating to the wineries.

Seniors Visit the Ely Stage Stop

Rising in the middle of Lake County is Mount Konocti, a volcano on the south shore of Clear Lake. Teeming with mystery and legend, Mount Konocti has been admired, respected, and feared for many centuries by both Native American tribes and white settlers alike.

As for me, I’d want to visit the Ely Stage Stop and Museum, home to the Lake County Historical Society. The Ely Stage Stop became a relay station for stagecoaches back in the late 1800s, offering drivers a place to change horses while passengers enjoyed a meal.

For hiking, golfing, boating and fishing, Lake County’s an ideal place. Senior travelers will discover fine bed and breakfasts like the Venture Inn and Kristalberg, notable wineries and one scenic view after another. In Kelseyville the pace is slow and the locals are kind.

Seniors Enjoy The Outdoors And The Pear Festival

From east Lake County, senior hikers can hike the Cache Creek Wilderness Area, to Cobb Mountain, to the red clay hills surrounding the lake and the slope of Mt. Konocti.

A major good time in Kelseyville is the annual Pear Festival. In recent years, it has been a pleasure for Kelseyville to welcome some 10,000 visitors. The Kelseyville City Guide is fully interactive and can help senior visitors discover the main activities and things to do in town including a map of nearby Clear Lake.

Set your GPS for Kelseyville, bring along your favorite corkscrew and wine glass and spend some quality time. You will discover wonderful hospitality and legendary landscape. -jeb

Seniors Enjoy a Stopover in Watertown

I was watching the weather forecast for the eastern US and noticed the town of Watertown. Senior travelers can find Watertown, New York (pop. 27,000) approximately 20 miles south of the Thousand Islands and the Canadian border, and 70 miles north of Syracuse on I-81.

The city of was settled in 1800 by pioneers from New Hampshire. They chose the area for the power supplied by the Black River for paper mills and other major industries. Named after the many falls located on the Black River, the city developed early in the 19th century as a manufacturing center.

From years of generating industrial wealth, in the early 20th century Watertown was said to have more millionaires per capita than any other city in the nation. This senior learned that Watertown is the birthplace of the Five and Dime store (Woolworth’s) and the safety pin.

Seniors Find County Fair, Football Franchise and Military Base

The first portable steam engine was manufactured in Watertown and it has the longest continually operating county fair in the country at the Alex Duffy Fairgrounds. The local Red and Black football franchise is the oldest surviving semi-professional team in the United States. Fort Drum military base is northeast of Watertown and the town is a major service and shopping destination for the fort’s 13,000 personnel.

Historic Thompson Park is a large, city-owned public park featuring a zoo, tennis courts, playgrounds, a public pool, picnic areas, large open fields which host various sports and activities, an 18-hole golf course, hiking trails, and many picturesque views of the city.

Me, I’d want to head off to the Burrville Cider Mill, one of Jefferson County’s oldest establishments. The structure, formerly known as Burr’s Mills, was built in 1801 and was originally used as a sawmill and a gristmill. Electricity, rather than waterpower, now runs the Mill equipment.

Scenic Area Draws Seniors

Watertown has something for everyone! For the senior outdoors lovers, picturesque scenery of the Adirondacks opens the way to the 1,000 Islands region and Lake Ontario. Boating, fishing, rafting, hiking, camping, and quaint rural atmosphere abounds.

The Greater Watertown-North Country (GWNC) Chamber of Commerce boasts over 1,000 members. See what Best of the Road has to say about Watertown. Many well-known people hail from Watertown, including John Foster Dulles, the former U.S. Secretary of State.

Maybe drop in out of the sky, as the town has its own international airport. Seniors, see for yourself and experience all the amenities the town has to offer. -jeb

Seniors Ride the Narrow Gauge Railroad

Durango, Colorado is a year-round, vacation destination where senior visitors can ride the world famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The train is a remnant of the time when Durango was a mining town where silver and gold flowed from the mines of the La Plata Mountains.

Many visitors go over to nearby Mesa Verde National Park where skiers and snowboarders enjoy the slopes of Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort.

I would try to time my visit in the fall, that perfect season to enjoy the color and beauty of the mountains. We would explore downtown’s shopping boutiques, fine restaurants and historic hotels.

My wife and I always choose to stay in a historic B&B or hotel on our visits. The Strater Hotel would fit the bill quite nicely. Dating back to 1887, it is one of the West’s iconic hotels in downtown Durango.

300 Days of Sunshine Attracts Seniors

The City of Durango, with its population of 17,000, is the county seat of La Plata County and enjoys over 300 days of sunshine. Seniors can enjoy the scenic countryside; the San Juan range is amazing to visit in any season.

You won’t have any problem searching for attractions in Durango. Senior visitors can choose whitewater rafting, hiking the Animas River Trail, skiing, biking, fishing in the local streams, horseback riding and snowmobiling.

For another “adventure” the Full Blast Zipline Canopy Tour is only 1 mile from downtown Durango. Oh yes, Fort Lewis College calls Durango home.

Historic Train Attraction

The Animas (that’s River) Museum is in the old City School (1904) with the history of La Plata County. It features exhibits, programs, archives of old photos and if you are interested, a research library to take you back to the olden days in and around Durango.

Much of Durango’s history dates back to the building of the railroad. In 1860, a prospector discovered flakes of gold in the San Juan Mountains north of present-day Durango.

The train that hauled precious metals in the 1880s, now takes tourists for a 47-mile, open-air journey through mountains and forests and past abandoned mines to historic Silverton and back.

Seniors, set your GPS for Durango and experience some of Colorado’s scenic wonders and its many attractions. It’s a city that offers a dozen vacations in just one destination. I would have to agree that Durango is one crafty little mountain town! - jeb